Prominent Tucson Family on the Run: Advocates for Trans & Migrant Rights Escape the U.S.

A prominent Tucson family known for their advocacy on behalf of transgender individuals and immigrant rights has recently left the United States. The Trujillo family—comprising Lizette, her husband Jose, and their son Daniel—cited the escalating threats from the Trump administration as the primary reason for their departure.

The family expressed concerns about an increasingly hostile environment towards immigrants and transgender people, regardless of their legal status. Lizette made a statement on social media, saying, “After a decade of advocating for the rights of our son, we made the difficult and hasty decision to leave the country.” She pointed to increased ICE activities in their Tucson community and highlighted that even as a U.S. citizen, Jose felt vulnerable under the current administration.

In response to their situation, the Trujillos have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to aid their relocation efforts. Daniel, who came out as transgender during childhood, has gained recognition from various organizations, including the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign, for his efforts in advocating for transgender youth.

Lizette, a community leader active on several boards in Tucson, has dedicated herself to migrant rights and supporting systems for transgender youths and their families in Southern Arizona. Meanwhile, Jose gained additional visibility as a featured figure in the Netflix documentary “The Dads,” which focuses on fathers supporting their transgender children amid rising national tension.

The Trujillos are not alone in their decision to flee. Reports from earlier this year indicated that other members of the queer community in Arizona have considered or begun relocating due to executive orders and local policies perceived as increasingly aggressive towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Lizette further elaborated on this climate of fear in a previous interview, discussing how parents are avoiding the Capitol out of concern that lawmakers might retaliate against advocates for transgender rights.